Bitstamp

Bitstamp, founded in 2011, is one of the longest-running cryptocurrency exchanges. In January 2015, it suffered a security breach where hackers stole about 19,000 BTC (worth $5 million at the time), leading to a temporary suspension of services. This incident prompted the exchange to enhance its security measures. In 2016, Bitstamp obtained a BitLicense from the New York State Department of Financial Services, becoming one of the first exchanges to receive this license. In 2018, the company was acquired by NXMH, a Belgian investment firm, which provided a stronger financial foundation. In 2024, Bitstamp was granted a MiFID Multilateral Trading Facility (MTF) license by the Slovenian regulator, allowing it to offer regulated crypto derivatives. In 2025, it secured a Crypto Asset Service Provider (CASP) license under the EU's Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation, further solidifying its position as a fully regulated exchange across the European Economic Area.